Chapter 11: A honey trap? No, it's a social disaster scene!
Having given up a "perfect" assassination opportunity, Yun Zhan was devastated. In particular, the electronic voice of System Xiao Qi playing "Tyrant Points +1" and "Host is useless" on a loop in his mind was driving him crazy.
"Shut up! If you keep nagging, I'll tell Yan Linye that he has a system trying to harm him!" Yun Zhan was so annoyed by the noise that he threatened fiercely.
[The system is bound to the host and cannot be detected by third parties. Threat ineffective.] Xiao Qi coldly replied, [It is recommended that the host cease futile struggles and actively seek the next assassination opportunity.]
"Look, look, look! Where am I supposed to look?" Yun Zhan slumped in a comfortable recliner in the villa, munching on fresh fruit brought by a maid, looking utterly hopeless. "Poisoning turned into a tonic, setting a trap for myself, taking advantage of him while he was drunk... I still can't bring myself to do it! Is this game even playable?"
[Host's low mood detected. Friendly reminder: Try the 'honey trap'. According to database analysis, this strategy has a higher-than-average success rate across multiple dimensions.]
"A honey trap?" Yun Zhan nearly choked on his words. "You want me to seduce Yan Linye?!"
His mind instantly conjured up images of his muscular "concubines" and Yan Linye's handsome face, which exuded an aura of righteousness, and he shivered violently.
"No way! Absolutely not! I'm straight! Straight as a rock!" Yun Zhan refused sternly.
[Based on host physiological data monitoring, abnormal fluctuations were observed in heart rate and skin conductance when the target person approached. The definition of 'straight' is questionable.]
"That...that's because I was scared! I felt guilty!" Yun Zhan bristled. "Besides, do I look like someone who could use a honey trap?"
He looked down at his own body, which, though handsome, lacked any alluring charm, and at his meager knowledge of flirting, devoid of any skill, and felt a deep sense of despair.
[The host can use items from the system shop for assistance. Currently available is a 'Charming Smile Trial Card (5 minutes)', priced at 200 points.]
"200?! Why don't you just rob someone?!" Yun Zhan wailed, clutching a non-existent wallet. He only had 300 points in total; these were his hard-earned... uh, blood and tears points!
But the system's words swirled in his mind like a spell. "A honey trap"... a success rate above average... it seems... not entirely out of the question? After all, what does integrity matter? What does dignity matter? Anyway, nobody here knows him, Yun Zhan!
And who knows, maybe we could even take the opportunity to... poison him or something? Like poisoning his drink and then feeding it to him?
This thought rekindled Yun Zhan's hope. Yes! This wasn't seduction; it was a tactical sacrifice!
"Let's do it!" Yun Zhan slapped his thigh, a look of tragic determination on his face. "Exchange it! That 'A Smile That Captivates a City' trial card!"
[Redeem successful. 200 points consumed. Remaining points: 100. Item has been issued. Simply recite the command to use; effect lasts five minutes.]
Looking at his dwindling points, Yun Zhan felt his heart bleed. He found the rather flamboyant clothes that Eunuch Gao had prepared for him, clothes he had never dared to wear before (the original owner Chu Yin's aesthetic was a bit flashy), and spent a long time fixing his hair in front of the bronze mirror, trying to make himself look... uh, a little more alluring?
As for the effect... well, let's just say it didn't look like an assassination attempt; it looked more like going on stage to perform.
As night fell, Yun Zhan learned that Yan Linye was handling official business in his study that evening. He took a deep breath, clutching a flask of poison... wait, he was out of money for poison! And he dared not exchange any more drugs recklessly.
Forget it! I'll use my charm to get close to him and gain his trust first, then find an opportunity to poison him later! Yun Zhan comforted himself with this thought.
He carried the pot of ordinary tea (pretending it was wine) and sneaked out of the study like a thief. After mentally preparing himself for a while, he silently recited the "Alluring Smile Experience Card".
"I don't feel anything special?" Yun Zhan touched his face and suspiciously pushed open the study door.
Yan Linye was reading a letter under the lamp when he heard the sound and looked up. When he saw Yun Zhan at the door, he was clearly taken aback.
At this moment, Yun Zhan was dressed in overly ornate robes, his hair was meticulously combed (but a little tight), and his face wore a twisted "seductive smile" that was both resigned to death and forced out. In the candlelight, this combination was quite unsettling, but he had to admit that Yun Zhan looked very... alluring tonight!
"Yun Zhan?" Yan Linye put down the letter, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "What is this...?"
"Brother Yan..." Yun Zhan forced himself to walk over, trying hard to recall how fairies seduced scholars in TV dramas. He put on a high-pitched voice and placed the wine pot on the table. "It's late, and I saw you were still working hard, so I... I came to bring you a pot of wine to help you relax~"
As he spoke, he tried to wink at Yan Linye, attempting to charm him. However, due to nervousness, his eyelids twitched as if sand had gotten into them.
Yan Linye: "..."
He looked at Yun Zhan's extremely unnatural posture and those "flirtatious eyes" that were practically a facial spasm, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly. What was this little guy up to now?
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Yunzhan." Yan Linye remained calm, wanting to see what he was up to.
Seeing that he didn't refuse, Yun Zhan was overjoyed. She quickly poured a cup of "wine" (tea) and held it to Yan Linye's lips, mimicking the tone of a femme fatale: "Brother Yan~ I'll feed you~"
His hands trembled so badly from nervousness that he spilled a few drops of tea.
Yan Linye looked at the teacup brought to his lips, then at Yun Zhan's "heroic sacrifice" expression, and finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.
His smile, like a spring breeze melting snow, instantly dispelled the eerie atmosphere from before. Yun Zhan, however, was stunned by his smile, frozen in place with his teacup in hand.
“Yun Zhan,” Yan Linye took the teacup and placed it on the table, his tone carrying an undisguised smile and a hint of indulgence, “You… don’t need to do this.”
"Huh?" Yun Zhan's mind didn't quite catch on.
“Just say what you want to do.” Yan Linye looked at him, his eyes gentle, as if he could see through all his little thoughts. “There is no need to pretend in front of me.”
Yun Zhan's face flushed bright red instantly, all the way down to his ears!
He...he...he figured it out? He figured out I was using my feminine wiles? And it failed?
A tremendous sense of social death overwhelmed him instantly. He felt like a clown performing hard on stage only to find that the audience had already seen through everything!
"I...I didn't mean to do anything!" Yun Zhan was filled with shame and indignation, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground. "I just...I just came to bring you some drinks! If you don't want them, fine!"
He snatched the teacup, and in his haste, the remaining tea spilled all over his magnificent robe, soaking it and making him look even more disheveled.
"I'm leaving!" Yun Zhan couldn't stay any longer and turned to run away.
"Wait." Yan Linye called out to him, got up and took one of his own clean outer robes from the side, and draped it over his wet body with a natural and considerate gesture. "It's chilly at night, be careful not to catch a cold. Go back and change into some dry clothes, and get some rest."
His tone remained gentle, without a trace of mockery, which only made Yun Zhan feel even more ashamed.
Wrapped in his outer robe, which still carried the warmth of Yan Linye's body, Yun Zhan didn't dare to look back and practically fled the study.
Watching his hurried retreating figure, Yan Linye shook his head helplessly, but the smile in his eyes deepened. This little guy, his naivety was almost written all over his face, even his "honey trap" was so clever... uniquely adorable.
He sat back down at the table, his gaze falling on the pot of "wine" that Yun Zhan had brought, and reached out to pick it up and smell it.
It's tea.
The curve of his lips became more pronounced.
Yun Zhan ran back to his room, buried himself in the covers, and let out a desperate wail.
"System! I hate you!!!"
[The "A Smile That Captivates a City" trial card has been used. Target's emotional fluctuation: Pleasure level increased. Assassination mission assessment: Failed. Reward: 0. Since this mission failure is partly due to the system's fault, 200 points will be refunded. Friendly reminder: Host, this route may not be suitable for you.]
"Get out of here!"
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